Train carrying crude oil derails in Lynchburg, Virginia

Raw video of train derailment

It's not immediately clear if there are any injuries after the horrific crash first reported around 2 p.m. EST. The city is evacuating the downtown area while advising Lynchburg residents to stay away.

It's not immediately clear if there are any injuries after the horrific crash first reported around 2 p.m. EST. The city is evacuating the downtown area while advising Lynchburg residents to stay away.

A CSX Corp train carrying crude oil derailed and burst into flames in downtown Lynchburg, Virginia on Wednesday, spilling oil into the James River and forcing hundreds to evacuate.

CSX said 15 cars on a train traveling from Chicago to Virginia derailed at 2:30 p.m. EST. Fire erupted on three cars, the company said. Photos and video from the scene showed high flames and a plume of black smoke. It was the second oil-train accident this year for CSX.

"We have no reports of injuries right now. The area is being evacuated," said Martin, director of communications for the city of Lynchburg.

About two hours after the derailment, CSX said the fire had been extinguished. City officials said there were no injuries, but 300-350 people were evacuated from the area. Around 6:00 p.m., residents were allowed to return to their homes.